Established in 1988, the Northern College of Acupuncture is a registered charity. Since the early days the College has gone from strength to strength. We educate acupuncturists, practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine and nutritional therapists and we run a thriving and well respected teaching clinic offering acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, tuina Chinese massage and nutritional therapy to the local community.

We were the first teaching institution of any kind in the UK to offer a University degree in acupuncture, the first to offer a University degree in Chinese herbal medicine, and the first to achieve professional accreditation for our acupuncture course, as well as our courses in nutritional therapy and Chinese herbal medicine. We also offer online only Masters courses for practitioners from all over the world.

Back in 1990 we established our sister research charity, the Foundation for Research into Traditional Chinese Medicine (FRTCM), which is now based at the College, recognising the need to carry out robust research into the value of these therapies.

BSc in Acupuncture

We are proud of our BSc in Acupuncture and our student’s progression to fully qualified acupuncture practitioners.

The BSc (Hons) in Acupuncture will give you:

• A qualification recognised by the professional body the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC)
• An acupuncture qualification that will enable you to establish yourself as an acupuncture practitioner
• A complete three year practical training to ensure that you can become a confident and competent acupuncturist
• An academic degree qualification
• An option to study acupuncture if you do not have formal prior qualifications
• An opportunity to access student loans (if you are eligible)
• The basic business skills you need to set up your practice

Our three year BSc in acupuncture course is ideal for students who do not have prior University experience and is a complete practitioner training from scratch. The BSc is our most popular option for practitioner training as the majority of our students come to us without an initial degree and many of our students are accessing student loans. It is designed to give you plenty of structure and guidance early on as you grow in confidence.

As NCA acupuncture student you will find yourself in a lively cohort of peers who enjoy their undergraduate identity and support each other through the course of study.

The main difference about studying as a BSc student is that your practitioner training also contains an academic element and you come out with an academic degree as well as the ability to go into practice. This demonstrates to your patients that your training has been to a University degree level which increases their confidence in you. Your own confidence as a practitioner is also firmly rooted in your academic knowledge as well as a thorough practical training.

Upon successful completion of the course you will be a highly capable practitioner, with a BSc in Acupuncture awarded by Middlesex University, and eligible to apply for membership of the BAcC and start your practice.

Student life

Course locations